Planning Commission approves Sequoia Mansion event venue permit and variances, amending parking and operational conditions

The Placerville Planning Commission on May 19 approved a conditional use permit (CUP 2601) and two variances to formalize ongoing event-venue operations at the Sequoia Mansion (the B. Bennett House) at 643 B Street, operated by Wedgewood Weddings and Events.

Staff told the commission the 0.78-acre historic site has long operated under a hybrid parking model—approximately 20 on-site spaces plus two off-site agreements providing 30 spaces within 300 feet (New Wine Christian Fellowship and Templo El Mesías). Because of steep slopes, limited buildable area, and historic preservation constraints, staff recommended the variances to legalize an existing accessory shed encroachment and a parking reduction, and recommended approval of the CUP subject to conditions.

Jordan Worth, general manager for Sequoia Mansion, told the commission the venue has not hosted more than 200 people in recent history and described operational measures: marking employee parking in the rear, coordinating with off-site lots, and attempting to coordinate trash pickup timing with the hauler. "They do our pickups. Usually it's before 7:00 a.m.," Worth said of the waste hauler after contacting the company.

Commissioners pressed staff and the applicant on the numeric parking shortfall: city standards would require approximately 63 spaces for a 250-person occupancy, while the approved hybrid model provides about 50 (20 on-site + 30 off-site). Commissioners discussed the precedent implications of granting a long-standing variance and whether to reduce maximum occupancy to match on-site parking. Staff noted the existing approvals dating from 2001–2002 and that the proposed approval formalizes historic operational conditions.

The commission amended the draft findings to expressly state that parking is adequately provided through (a) existing on-site spaces, (b) formal off-site parking agreements, and (c) available street parking, to avoid the appearance of granting an unexplained special privilege. The commission also removed a condition that required the city to enforce a specific commercial-dumpster pickup time (staff had noted the hauler sets routes and the city cannot guarantee pickup times), and added direction that the permittee notify the city if off-site reciprocal-parking properties change ownership so staff can verify continued availability. With those amendments, the commission voted 3–0 to approve the CUP and variances; the approval is subject to a 10-day appeal period to City Council.

Conditions require that off-site parking be prioritized before on-street parking, approximately five marked employee parking spaces be maintained in the rear, the maximum occupancy remain at 250 (with operational conditions), and that any permanent alteration to the shed be preceded by a sewer-line study. Staff will prepare the notice of exemption and the final conditions for the record.